Printed circuit terminal nut



21, 1968 R. J. RADEMACHER 3,384,853

PRINTED CIRCUIT TERMINAL NUT Filed April 16, 1965 INVENTOR Ric/2 0rd J. Rademac/r er His Aiforfiy United States Patent 3,384,853 PRINTED CIRCUIT TERMINAL NUT Richard J. Rademacher, Flint, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 448,742 8 Claims. (Cl. 339-17) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In the preferred form, an improved terminal nut providing an electrical connection between spaced apart electrical conductors through leg portions of the terminal nut which cooperate with each other to prevent electrical disengagement of the leg portion from one of the electrical conductors.

This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved terminal nut adapted to electrically connect spaced electrical conductors.

It is frequently necessary in the manufacture of domestic appliances and automobiles to fasten =a gage or other electrical component into a supporting instrument panel and to supply pow r for operating these components.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved terminal nut adapted for electrically connectin spaced electrical conductors and for mounting a component to be thus energized.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved terminal nut which by the configuration thereof provides a spring loaded electrical contact to compensate for shifting or cold fiow of the plastic material.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of an improved terminal nut adapted to be fastened to a power supplying supporting means to make electrical contact with spaced apart electrical conductors through back-to-back S-shaped leg portions of the nut and wherein the configuration of and the cooperation between the leg portions prevent electrical disengagement of the leg portions from the electrical conductors when the terminal nut is tightly fastened to its supporting means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the use of the improved terminal nut of this invention in electrically interconnecting spaced apart electrical conductors;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational view of the improved terminal nut;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation-a1 view thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom elevational view thereof; and

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view thereof for illustrating one particular configuration thereof.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated an instrument panel or support means of plastic or other suitable electrically insulating material having on one surface thereof a printed circuit means 12, 14 and at the other side thereof an electrical terminal 16 for supplying power to the printed circuit means through the terminal nut 20 of this invention. The panel 10 includes a pocket or recess 18 for receiving the improved terminal nut 20a hole 22 in the panel receiving a threaded fastening means such as a terminal screw 24. The terminal nut 20 and the terminal screw 24 comprise a connector means for electrically interconnecting spaced apart electrical conductors.

With the arrangement above, any suitable electrical component such as a clock or gage connected to the printed circuit means 12 and 14 may be supplied with power through the terminal nut 20 which is connected in series electrical flow relationship with an electrical power supply terminal 16 by means of the terminal screw 24. Conversely, electrical power can also be fed from the printed circuit through the terminal nut 20, through the terminal screw 24, and into an electrical conductor 16 secured to the plastic boss by the terminal screw. The electrical conductor 16 could be on a printed circuit board, which also acts as the mounting plate for a clock or gage.

Turning now to FIGURE 5, the one-piece terminal nut 20 is provided with a generally flat base portion 26 having a central threaded opening or connecting portion 28. Extending upwardly from the base portion 26 are a pair of legs 30, 32 having termnial end portions or ears 34, 36, each of which includes a pressed out dimple 38, 40 for improving electrical contact. The intermediate portions of abutting means 42, 44 of the legs are in rather a U-sh-ape having one leg of the U forming the cars 34, 36 while the other leg of the U merges into the base portion 26. Viewed another way, each leg portion 30, 32 may be configured in an S shape wherein one end of the S defines an ear 34 or 36, while the other end of the S merges into the connecting portion 28 of the terminal nut. Retaining tangs 50, 52 are lanced out of the leg portions 30 and 32, respectively, and are adapted to spring out against the sides of the recess 18 for holding the terminal nut in place in the support panel 10.

The design of the sheet metal terminal nut 20 is such that the ears or end portions 34, 36 are spring loaded respectively against the printed circuit portions 14, 12 when the connection is tightened. This compensates for shifting or cold flow of the plastic material in the support means and also accommodates shifting due to the different expansion rates of all related mating parts.

Note that the connecting portion 28 includes a lanced out spiral portion 54 to form the thread for receiving the sheet metal adapted terminal screw 24. It is possible that tightening the terminal screw into the thread forming portion 54 will draw the base of the terminal nut into an arc-like configuration which, if not provided for, could lift the ear-like end portions 34, 36 away from electrical engagement with the printed circuit means 14, 12. For this reason the l g portions 30, 32 of the terminal nut are placed back to back with the intermediate portions 42, 44 abutting at 56 so that the end portions or cars of the terminal nut will not lift otf the surface of the printed circuit.

Turning now to FIGURE 5, one suitable terminal nut is shown constructed of .016 inch steel. A suitable configuration may be effected when the dimension A is .64 inch; B is .32 inch; C is .40 inch; D is .31 inch; E is .28 inch; F is .190 inch; G is .380 inch; H is .46 inch; and J is .06 inch. A number of radii are effected to give the desired resilience and biasing effect for achieving proper electrical engagement. The preferred configuration of the ears, 42 for example, shows a radius K taken from a center established by a dimension L of .16 inch centered on the base of the nut and a radius M of .06 inch initiated at one end of said base. The U-shaped portion of the legs 30, 32 is established by a radius N of .06 inch while the portion of the leg portions 30, 32 next to the base portion 26 is established by a radius 0 taken from a center determined by the middle of the nut and a line across the termination of the arcs defined by the radius M.

It should now be seen that a terminal nut has been provided which can safely carry the current feeding gages, clocks and other low power electrical components and wherein the terminal nut includes a contact ear which is not effected by vibration or temperature cycling.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be unerstood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, electrically insulating support means having printed circuit means on one side thereof and electrical terminal means on the other side thereof electrically insulated from said printed circuit means, and terminal nut means adapted to electrically connect said electrical terminal means with said printed circuit means, said terminal nut means having a base portion adjacent said support means and a pair of leg portions extending from said base portion, each of said leg portions having an end portion in electrical engagement with said printed circuit means and a generally U-shaped intermediate spring portion adapted to effect a continuous bias of said end portion toward said printed circuit means, and terminal screw means extending between said electrical terminal means and said base portion for electrically interconnecting said electrical terminal means with said printed circuit means through said terminal nut means and for fastening said terminal nut means to said support means, the intermediate spring portions of said leg portions being back to back whereby to prevent the end portions thereof from electrically disengaging from said printed circuit means when said terminal nut means is fastened to said support means by said terminal screw means.

2. In combination, support means having printed circuit means thereon, electrical terminal means electrically insulated from said printed circuit means, and terminal nut means adapted to electrically connect said electrical terminal means with said printed circuit means, said terminal nut means having a base portion adjacent said support means and a pair of leg portions extending from said base portion, each of said leg portions having an end portion in electrical engagement with said printed circuit means and a generally U-shaped intermediate portion adapted to effect a continuous bias of said end portion toward said printed circuit means, and means extending between said electrical terminal means and said base portion for electrically interconnecting said electrical terminal means with said printed circuit means through said terminal nut means and for retaining said terminal nut means adjacent to said support means, the intermediate portions of said leg portions being back to back whereby to prevent the end portions thereof from electrically disengaging from said printed circuit means.

3. In combination, support means, circuit means on one side of said support means, electrical terminal means electrically insulated from said circuit means, and terminal nut means adapt d to electrically connect said electrical terminal means with said circuit means, said terminal nut means having a base portion associated with said support means and a leg portion extending from said base portion, said leg portion having an end portion in electrical engagement with said circuit means and a return bend intermediate sprin portion adapted to effect a continuous bias of said end portion toward said circuit means, abutting means comprising a supported part of said nut means engaging said return bend intermediate spring portion of said leg portion to provide movement of said end portion only in the direction of said circuit means, and fastening means extending between said ter- .4 minal means and said base portion for electrically interconnecting said electrical terminal means with said circuit means through said terminal nut means and for joining said fastening means, said terminal nut means, said circuit means and said support means is assembled relationship.

4. A spring metal terminal nut adapted to electrically connect spaced electrical conductors and comprising a base portion adapted to be interconnected with a terminal screw fastening means and having a pair of leg portions extending from said base portion, each of said leg portions having an end portion adapted for electrical engagement with one of said electrical conductors and a generally U-shaped intermediate spring portion adapted to provide a continuous bias of said end portion in the direction of said base portion, the intermediate spring portions of said leg portions being back to back whereby to prevent the end portions thereof from moving toward each other.

5. A spring metal terminal nut adapted to electrically connect spaced electrical conductors and comprising a connecting portion adapted to be interconnected with a terminal screw fastening means and having a pair of S-shaped leg portions extending from said connecting portion, each of said leg portions having a yieldable end portion adapted for electrical engagement with one of said electrical conductors, the yieldability of said end portions being effected by the S shape of said leg portions to provide a continuous bias of said end portion in the direction of said connecting portion, said S-shaped leg portions being back to back whereby to prevent the end portions thereof from moving in one direction.

6. A terminal nut adapted to electrically connect spaced electrical conductors and comprising a connecting portion adapted to be interconnected with one of said electrical conductors by a fastening means and having an S-shaped electrically conductive leg portion extending from said connecting portion, said leg portion having a yieldable end portion adapted for electrical engagement with the other of said electrical conductors, an abutting part on said terminal nut provided to engage said leg portion, the yieldability of said end portion being effected by the S shape of said leg portion and engagement of said leg portion with said abutting means to provide a continuous bias of said end portion in the direction of said connecting portion.

7. In combination, support means, circuit means on one side of said support means, electrical terminal means electrically insulated from said circuit means, and a connector means comprising; terminal nut 'means adapted to electrically connect said electrical terminal means with said circuit means, said terminal nut means having a base portion associated with said support means and a leg portion extending from said base portion, said leg portion having an end portion in electrical engagement with said circuit means and a return bend intermediate spring portion adapted to effect a continuous bias of said end portion toward said circuit means, abutting means engaging said return bend intermediate spring portion of said leg portion to provide movement of said end portion only in the direction of said circuit means, and fastening means extending between said terminal means and said base portion for electrically interconnecting said electrical terminal means with said circuit means through said terminal nut means and for joining said fastening means, said terminal nut means, said circuit means and said support means in assembled relationship, said abutting means comprising a supported part of said connector means.

8. In combination, support means, circuit means on one side of said support means, electrical terminal means electrically insulated from said circuit means, and terminal nut means adapted to electrically connect said electrical terminal means with said circuit means, said terminal nut means having a base portion associated with said support means and a leg portion extending angularly from said base portion, said leg portion having an end portion in electrical engagement with said circuit means and a return bend intermediate spring portion adapted by movement in one direction to effect a continuous bias of said end portion toward said circuit means, abutting means engaging said return bend intermediate spring portion of said leg portion to prevent angular movement of said intermediate spring portion in the opposite direction thereby to prevent lifting of said end portion from said circuit means, and fastening means extending between said terminal means and said base portion for electrical- 1y interconnecting said electrical terminal means with said circuit means through said terminal nut means and for 15 joining said fastening means, said terminal nut means, said circuit means and said support means in assembled relationship.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1903 Esmond 339-219 8/1906 Moody 339-214 11/1947 Buell 339-217 1/1950 Kost 339-199 1/1952 Schwartz 339-214 2/1959 Tondat et a1. 339-17 11/1963 Cooney 339-126 6/1964 Hammell et a1. 339-214 X 10/1965 McDonough 339-217 1/1966 Means 339-17 X FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1946 France.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner. 

